The BBC has advised employees to remove TikTok from any work-related devices unless they are using it for editorial or promotional purposes.
We don’t advocate installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is a legitimate business reason, according to advice purportedly emailed to staff members of the broadcaster on Sunday. TikTok should be deleted if you don’t require it for your business.
It happens when the Chinese internet business ByteDance’s social media app, which is owned by British government phones, was prohibited due to concerns that private information might be obtained from the device.
An official from the BBC stated: “The BBC takes the safety and security of our systems, data, and people incredibly seriously.
“We constantly review activity on third-party platforms – including TikTok – and will continue to do so.”
Although it will frequently monitor the situation, the firm will continue to use the video-sharing platform to promote its content, including news articles.
The broadcaster has created numerous pages on the app in an effort to reach new viewers, thus the move represents a significant departure for them.
The BBC today advised staff about using TikTok on corporate phones unless there is an editorial or business justification, according to tweets from its technology editor Zoe Kleinman.
“Yes, this does affect me. But the bigger picture: TikTok denies any data sharing with China.
“Nobody has found a smoking gun. And yet the fears grow louder.”
TikTok said it was “disappointed” with the BBC’s decision and said bans were based on “fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics”.
A spokesperson for the social media app said: “We are disappointed with the guidance that the BBC has shared but welcome the fact TikTok can still be used as part of editorial, marketing, and reporting purposes.
“The BBC has a strong presence on our platform, with multiple accounts from news through to music reaching our engaged community both in the UK and around the world.
“We believe these bans have been based on fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics. We remain in close dialogue with the BBC and are committed to working with them to address any concerns they have.”
Allegations that TikTok gives user data to the Chinese government are categorically refuted by the company.
